Panama: Operation Just Cause
In December 1989, the United States launched an invasion of Panama during the presidency of George H. Bush. The primary aim of the invasion was to remove General Manuel Noriega, the de facto ruler of Panama, who was wanted by U.S. authorities for racketeering and drug trafficking. The operation was named Operation Just Cause and concluded in late January 1990 with the surrender of Noriega. As a result, the Panama Defense Forces were dissolved, and President-elect Guillermo Endara was inaugurated. Noriega was standing trial in the United States intelligence agencies, seized power to become Panama’s de facto dictator in the early 1980s. However, in the mid-1980s, relations between Noriega and the U.S. began to deteriorate due to the fallout of the murder of Hugo Spadafora and the removal from office of President Nicolas Ardito Barletta. Noriega’s criminal activities and association with other spy agencies earned him the 1988 he was indicted by federal grand juries on several drug-related charges. Despite negotiations seeking his resignation, which began in 1988 and ended in 1989, Noriega unilaterally declared a “Panama in a state of war” against the U.S. American forces, which appeared to have been won by opposition candidate Guillermo Endara. In response, President Bush reinforced the U.S. garrison in the Canal Zone. After a U.S. Marine officer was killed at a PDF roadblock, Bush authorized the execution of the Panama invasion plan. The U.S. invasion of Panama commenced on December 20, and Panamanian forces were swiftly overwhelmed, although operations continued for several weeks. Endara was inaugurated as president shortly after the start of invasion. Noriega evaded capture for several days before seeking refuge in the Holy See diplomatic mission in Panama City. He surrendered on January 3, 1990, and was then transported to the U.S., where he was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to 40 years in prison.
It was estimated that 516 Panamanians were killed during the invasion, including 314 soldiers and 202 civilians. A total of 23 U.S. soldiers and 5 U.S. civilians lost their lives.
